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PROCEEDINGS 



OF THE 



ALABAMA STATE COUNCIL 
OF DEFENSE 







HELD IN THE SENATE CHAMBER 

MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 

JUNE 1, 1917 



BROWN PRINTING CO. MONTGOMERY. 



P^ of D. 
JUL 24 1917 






PROCEEDINGS OF THE ALABAMA STATE COUNCIL OF 

DEFENSE 

SENATE CHAMBER OF ALABAMA 
JUNE 1, 1917 



Present: Governor Charles Henderson, and 

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 

Richard M. Hobbie _ _ Chairman 

L. M. Hooper. _ _ Selma 

L. M. Bashinsky _ Troy 

M. J. McDermott _ Mobile 

J. M. Duggar Auburn 

FINANCE COMMITTEE 

A. G. Parrish, Selma -..Acting Chairman 

Adolph Hohenburg _ _ Wetumpka 

N. P. Renfroe _ Opelika 

Loui Pizitz _ _ _ _ Birmingham 

COORDINATION OF SOCIETIES 

J. K. Jackson, Montgomery Chairman 

Mrs. J. F. Hooper Selma 

Joe Loveman _ Birmingham 

Dr. B. J. Baldwin _ _ Montgomery 

J. B. Ellis _ _ Selma 

FOOD PRODUCTION AND CONSERVATION 

J. A. Wade, Montgomery _ _ _ _ Chairman 

H. L. McElderry _....„ _ Talladega 

Mrs. G. H. Mathis _ _ Gadsden 

W. T. Beeland _ _...._ _ Greenville 

J. R. Garrett Elba 

W. F. Garth _ _ Huntsville 

J. J. Espy _ Headland 

W. A. Wadsworth Prattville 

Leo Strassburger "... _ Montgomery 

ANIMAL INDUSTRY 

Dr. C. A. Cary, Auburn _ _ _ Chairman 

L. F. Sessions _ Ozark 

C. Davis _ _ Huntsville 



4 

J. E. Dunaway 0rrville 

Henry Abraham Montgomery 

W. H. King. T 

fe - Luverne 

HEALTH COMMITTEE 

Dr. S^ W. Welch, Montgomery Chairman 

Dr. H. G. Perry Montgomery 

INDUSTRIAL COMMITTEE 

Tracy W.Pratt Huntsville Acting Chairman 

, B - M f m f Birmingham 

John J. Russell.. ,, , ., 

E. S. Moody = M ,° blle 

E. C. Melvin " Tuscaloosa 

belma 

LABOR COMMITTEE 

? I - E - B "f anier Montgomery 

John Peebles Monroeville 

TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE 

S. P. Kennedy, Anniston Chairman 

Leo Strassburger Montgomery 

W. b. Keller _ Mont 

J. I. McKinney -ZlZIIIZZZj^ontgo'me^ 

L. Sevier -d- ■ , 

w M ™ , " Birmingham 

W - M - Blount Union Springs 

LEGAL COMMITTEE 

L*\ B w "2 D fu deVi " e Chai ™«n 

St "! W i w lth , Birmingham 

Sterling A. Wood t>- • , 

s ^. wuuu Birmingham 

MILITARY COMMITTEE 

Col. W. F We.88 Montgomery 

Gen. R. F. Ll gon Montgomery 

PUBLICITY COMMITTEE 

rH T F s M:i Montgomery B T cha T an 

David Holt ,, , J 

Fred H. GormleyZ " "j 8 " 6 ' 3 ' 

F. W. Barrett Montgomery 

- - Birmingham 



Governor Henderson: Ladies and Gentlemen of the State 
Council of Defense: 

I am gratified that such a large number have responded at 
this time to the call of their country. There are quite a num- 
ber who have been detained at home by reasons which were 
beyond their control, but they have advised us of their full 
sympathy and cooperation in the purpose of organization. The 
State Council of Defense is a volunteer organization and its 
purpose is to centralize the working forces of the State. Our 
country has been dependent upon the individual efforts of its 
citizens, but the time has now come when we must lay aside 
individualism, except as it may be designated by some central 
authority, showing and pointing out just how to do the things 
that will be of greatest aid to his country, and each should 
hold himself in readiness to take up that work. 

The interest of the individual and the welfare of the Nation 
are closely allied. The individual should take a survey of the 
situation and dedicate himself and his labors to the welfare of 
his country. This is a new experience for most of us. We can 
see only a short distance in front of us and this view is apt to 
be changed from day to day, therefore it is hard to say just 
what we wish to do and what we wish not to do, except that we 
will hold ourselves in readiness to perform whatever labors are 
best for our country at large. It is not only during the course 
of this great conflict that we must look, but to the time of set- 
tlement when this war is ended, which may force upon us dif- 
ficulties and problems greater than those which now confront 
us. All of the great European countries have centralized their 
efforts. Even the farm labor of England and France, which 
has been very much as it is in this country, is now under the 
control of the various governments. The women of the Euro- 
pean countries who have been enlisted to take charge of the 
work heretofore done by the men, through necessity, are go- 
ing to continue in this work until restoration of the waste 
caused by the war has been completed. This will be a problem 
that we shall face if we are not prepared. Even with our great 
wealth we will not be prepared to cope with the competition of 
European countries. If we do not prepare we will find after 
the war that our trade has left us. We will find that this 



6 

country can not maintain the position that we are occupying 
at present and that the European nations are underselling us 
in all the markets. Our own State has an important place in 
this work. We have lost during the last twelve months one 
hundred thousand of our laboring population. They continue 
to leave us. These are examples of the problems that this 
Council will have to deal. We must not only make up for the 
loss of this labor and the loss of our own young men that may 
be selected and called to the front, but we must do our part to- 
wards feeding the millions that are in Europe. We have not 
only lost labor but we are called upon to feed millions in other 
countries that heretofore have been self-supporting. We had 
just as well recognize the fact that Alabama has not even been 
self-supporting, but we are now called upon to do more. We 
have been calling upon the graineries of the West, but we have 
formed resolutions to erect our own supply stores, and this 
Council should see that these resolutions are carried out and 
point the easiest way. We have our Agricultural Department 
and our colleges to develop and disseminate information that 
would be of great advantage in the growing of our crops, but 
a large part of the work which they do is practically lost be- 
cause of the fact that it does not get back to the people and the 
people themselves have never been impressed with the impor- 
tance of the information derived from such sources, conse- 
quently it is almost lost. We are spending the money in the 
right direction so far as it goes but it does not go far enough. 
There is a tremendous amount of work for this organization 
to take up along this line. It is a great work that you have 
undertaken and I have been gratified at the responses that 
have come to me in making the call upon you gentlemen. The 
different committees have been formed and they are ready 
to take in hand the particular work pertaining to each commit- 
tee. I have a telegram here which came to me from the Chair- 
man of the Finance Committee and it is of the same character 
of communications that has been received from those who 
have been unable to attend this meeting, and I want to read it 
to you to show the spirit of those who have not attended which 
will show their absence was not due to any lack of interest. 
(Reads telegram.) 



June 1, 1917. 
Governor Charles Henderson, 

Montgomery, Ala. 
Owing to important engagements impossible to attend committee 
meeting. Am in the cause with mind, heart, family and pocket-book. 
This is crucial period in our history and our task is colossal one. In pro- 
portion to population Alabama leads states of the Union in numbers un- 
der arms. We must arise to occasion as generously as our sons have 
responded to the roll call. Every man who subscribes to liberty bond 
enlists in his country's cause. 

(Signed) "Tom M. Smith." 

You were called together, gentlemen, that you might meet 
and discuss the work before you. I wish the different commit- 
tees to meet and organize in such ways they think best and 
then render their reports to the body as a whole, outlining the 
work they propose doing. With these few remarks I am going 
to open the meeting for a general discussion of any questions 
that might be presented looking to the welfare of the State 
and the efficient working of the State Council of Defense. Be- 
fore doing so I would like to ask that Mr. Richard Hobbie, who 
has been selected as Chairman, to rise, that I may introduce 
him to the Council. 

Introduces Mr. Hobbie: 

Mr. Hobbie, Chairman. — I move that Mr. A. G. Parrish, of 
Selma, be selected as Chairman of our Finance Committee dur- 
ing the absence of Mr. Smith. This motion was carried and 
Mr. Parrish acts as Chairman. 

Mr. Frank W. Barnett. — Gentlemen, and Mr. Chairman: 
Before beginning the work that we have in hand I should like 
to request that I be removed as Chairman of the Committee 
on Coordination of Societies and be placed upon the Publicity 
Committee, where I think I shall be able to render more val- 
uable services. 

Mr. Barnett was removed from the Coordination of Socie- 
ties Committee and placed upon the Publicity Committee. 

Mr. Kennedy, Transportation Committee. — I think the 
Council would be glad to hear from Mr. Hobbie. 

Mr. Hobbie, Chairman Executive Committee. — Gentlemen: 
Recognizing your ability and your fitness for the serious work 



8 

ahead of us and having an abiding faith in your love of our 
country, and your love of our State, Governor Henderson has 
called you here for a conference. He does not know just exact- 
ly what we must do in detail. He cannot know. There are 
some of you older gentlemen who remember war, but not 
many of us can realize that our country is at war, and if we did 
we do not know what to do. There are no precedents by which 
we can guide ourselves, therefore the Governor has called to 
Montgomery the brains of Alabama. He wants you to come 
here and tell him in detail what must be done in your particu- 
lar section. He wants you to go home with the acquired infor- 
mation that each brings here and gives to the other and organ- 
ize your particular section of your State and county down to 
the very precincts so as to have the whole body of the State 
act as one man along a definitee course. You gentlemen are to 
act as one man along a definite course. You gentlemen are to 
in her might with every man and every resource to uphold the 
hands of our great President. We are in a war to save humani- 
ty, to save democracy and to give to each man in the world the 
right to live, the right to live under Star Spangled Banners 
with privileges like our own. It is our desire to uphold the 
hands of our Governor. He comes to you for your advice and 
your help. Now he has given you in a general way just what 
he expects of each committee in detail. The rest is left to the 
chairmen of the various committees and the committees them- 
selves. He has outlined, as I shall read, the work that is ex- 
pected of each committee and the work that each is specially 
charged with directing: 

1. The Executive Committee — is to have general supervi- 
sion and direction of the organization, without attempt to pre- 
scribe the methods to be pursued by the different committees, 
except in an advisory capacity. All matters pertaining to the 
welfare of the State as a whole without reference to any par- 
ticular branch of industry will be within their particular 
province. 

2. The Finance Committee — shall be a committee on ways 
and means where necessary, otherwise it will be a committee 
on administration of funds appropriated for the use of the 
State Council. 



3. Coordination of Societies — The function of this commit- 
tee will be the coordination of the activities of the State Coun- 
cil and the different committees thereof with all bodies work- 
ing in similar fields. All civic bodies operating within the 
State should be coordinated with that of the State Council to 
the end that there will be no duplication of work, and that our 
energies will be centralized towards accomplishing a specific 
purpose. 

4. Food Production and Conservation Committee. — This 
committee will have charge of the production and distribution 
of food, the avoidance of waste and other allied subjects. 

5. Animal Industry Committee — This committee shall 
have to do with and have charge of all matters pertaining to 
the welfare of the animal industry. 

6. Health Committee — This committee is expected to deal 
with all matters relating to hygiene, medicine and sanitation. 

7. Industrial Committee — This committee is expected to 
make a survey of the industries of the State for the purpose of 
securing reliable data that would be of aid in our national de- 
fense, and information that would be material towards giving 
and receiving aid in the way of labor and supplies from other 
sections of the State. 

8. Labor Committee — This committee is to be concerned 
with the supply, distribution and welfare of labor. 

9. Transportation Committee — While there may be no ap- 
parent need for this committee they should acquaint them- 
selves in a general way with the facilities of the State both as 
to railroads, electric, motor and highway transportation, that 
they will be in position to render prompt service should it be 
required. 

10. Legal Committee — This committee is formed for the 
purpose of giving advice to the Council on legal matters, 
should the need of such service be required. 

11. Military Committee — This committee may be of serv- 
ice in assisting in the selection and procuring of camp sites 
and other facilities required by our National Government. 
They are expected also to advise in reference to the protection 



10 

and defense of the different localities of our State should such 
exigencies arise. 

12. Publicity Committee — It will be the duty of this com- 
mittee to control and disseminate information and carry on 
the propaganda needed in the work of the Council of Defense. 
It is expected that they will conduct the educational work that 
may be found necessary by the several counties. 

It is the intention to form Councils of Defense in each 
county. The effort is already being made to this end by hav- 
ing a central committee of three who will organize their coun- 
ties by appointing five members residing in different sections 
of each precinct. Through this channel it is expected that we 
will be able to gather and disseminate the information that 
will be necessary to bring the work of the Council of Defense 
up to its highest efficiency. 

Our President has formed a National Council of Defense 
composed of members of his own cabinet. These gentlemen 
have formed sub-committees that reach out all over the coun- 
try, getting information from every source, and it is for this 
reason the Governor has asked you to come here today and tell 
him along what lines we should act to get the best results. 

The roll of the State Council of Defense is called. 

Mr. Hobbie introduces Mrs. G. H. Mathis, of the Food Pro- 
duction and Conservation Committee. 

STATEMENT BY MRS. MATHIS OF THE FOOD PRODUC- 
TION AND CONSERVATION COMMITTEE 

Governor Henderson and Friends that are (fathered here: 

I am still on the job, is about the most I can say. I have 
been in twenty-three counties in the last thirty days, getting 
over the territory as rapidly as possible and I have been mak- 
ing from three to five talks a day, frequently talking to over 
one thousand people a day. One thing that I am going to 
bring to mind, which impressed me very much, is that the 
people are as much interested as they are and the rapidity with 
which they can be gotten together. After two hours' notice 
has been given to a town they have gotten up a big audience, 
and sometimes not that much time was given. Now this prog- 



11 

ress that I have been making for several days was interrupted 
by a trip to Washington. 

Mrs. Mathis also stated that many of the people in the 
rural sections still are somewhat puzzled to know what it is all 
about. They have hardly come to realize that this country 
actually is at war. It is difficult to make them understand 
that the time will soon come when they will not be able to buy 
many of the things that they have been accustomed to pur- 
chasing from their merchant, and that the time has come 
when they must raise much that they use or do without, par- 
ticularly meats and fats. 

Mrs. Mathis also stated that this is one time when we are 
our brothers' keeper and to have peace and happiness in Ala- 
bama, we must realize this. We are sending our boys and 
young men out and we want them to know that we are just as 
loyal as the others and I v/ant my boy to feel that when he goes 
out for the United States he is no more loyal to the United 
States than I am. We do not want our young men to go out 
with the idea that they are just called out, we want them to 
know that we are behind them with our time, money, our pa- 
tience and with our work. 

Dr. C. A. Cary, of Auburn, of the Animal Industry Com- 
mittee, stated that he preferred to have a meeting in order to 
present the facts to the committee. 

Dr. Welch's (Chairman of the Health Committee) state- 
ment was as follows : 

Sometime ago the Chairman of the Committee of National 
Defense appointed a committee, composed of doctors in Ala- 
bama, for the purpose of getting together the data that was 
necessary to ascertain the number of doctors in Alabama that 
were ready to go to the front. That committee was called to- 
gether by its chairman last night, and after a thorough discus- 
sion in the Senate Chamber, the chairman and secretary were 
instructed to write each one of the doctors that was subject to 
draft and who was in the age limit, from 21 to 35, to report to 
Montgomery at as early a date as possible, and if possible 
about the 12th of June, and these men were to be notified with- 



12 

in the next few days that their presence was desired in Mont- 
gomery in the next few days. There will be required about 
20,000 doctors for the first two million men drafted and Ala- 
bama's quota will be between three and four hundred. The 
committee has already ascertained the number of men who are 
eligible and will be gotten together just as early as possible. 
We expect a large number of them here on the 12th of June 
for the purpose of making a thorough organization. Already 
the work of organizing the doctors has been carried forward 
on a volunteer plan. This has not been more successful with 
the doctors than with the other people, but we are at least try- 
ing to avoid in Alabama the necessity of drafting doctors. 

The Council adjourned at 1 :35 in order that the various 
committees might meet, compile their reports, and meet again 
in a body in the Senate Chamber at 3 P. M. 



EVENING SESSION 



Mr. Hobbie, Chairman Executive Committee, called the 
Council to order. 

Mr. Frank W. Barnett, Publicity Committee. — Mr. Chair- 
man and Gentlemen: I have been requested to extend to the 
Alabama State Council of Defense an invitation to come to 
Birmingham, Tuesday, June 5th, at which time General Leon- 
ard Wood, Commander Southeastern Division, U. S. A., and 
the Royal Italian Commission will be guests of honor of the 
city of Birmingham. Those who will take advantage of this 
invitation will please so inform Mr. Robert Jemison, Jr., Birm- 
ingham. 

Mr. Leo Strassburger, Food Production and Conservation 
Committee. — Mr. Chairman: It will be impossible for any of 
the Montgomery members of the State Council of Defense to 
take advantage of this invitation, for on this same date we 
expect to have a celebration in this city. 

Mr. Hobbie. — Gentlemen: The various committees will 
please to render such reports as have been compiled. The 






13 

Executive Committee has made its report which I will read ; as 
we are first named on the list and the rest will follow in regu- 
lar order: 

REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 

Be it resolved by the Executive Committee of the Alabama 
State Council of Defense : 

1st. — That the Executive Committee express its sense of 
the supreme importance of effective county and beat organiza- 
tions, with appropriate local committees, and that every mem- 
ber of the Council of Defense assist the Governor in this local 
organization. 

2nd. — That the Executive Committee requests the chair- 
men of the various committees to promptly report to the Ex- 
ecutive Committee any action each committee may take. 

3rd. — That the Executive Committee recognize it as its 
function to secure by constant aggressive steps to stimulate 
the various county committees in the exercise of their duties. 

4th. — That the Executive Committee indorses and empha- 
sizes the action of the Finance Committee in pushing the sales 
of the Liberty Bonds. 

5th. — That the Executive Committee requests all commit- 
tees to submit to it an estimate of the amount of expenses at- 
tached to the operation of the committee that plans may be 
inaugurated for financing same. It is the belief and hope of 
the Executive Committee that no large expense will be in- 
curred other than appear absolutely necessary for the reason 
that we recognize that this is a service largely voluntary and 
patriotic. 

6th. — We suggest to the Health Committee the support of 
the Red Cross. 

7th. — That we wish to inform the State Council of Defense 
that the Federal authority, Mr. Gist, is to give the Governor 
information as to the acreage of the diversified crops of all 
commodities that are going to be raised. The Governor will 
through his office convey this information to all county organ- 
izations and these county organizations are requested to ask 
the people to provide houses for these products until they can 
be successfully transported to markets. 



14 

8th. — We request that the various committees forward to 
the Governor all items that should be given publicity. The 
Governor in turn will give same to the Publicity Committee for 
the press. 

9th. — While we recognize that the Transportation Com- 
mittee will be engaged in providing transportation for articles 
of manufacturers and especially coal, yet we would respectful- 
ly draw attention to the fact that with the harvesting of the 
crop in the fall, it will be obligatory upon the committee to 
provide adequate transportation for farm commodities and 
we suggest that they bear this in mind, making their plans 
accordingly. 

10th. — We want to advise all committees of the desire on 
the part of the Executive Committee to act with promptness 
and dispatch pertaining to all matters of the Council of State 
Defense and in consultation and advice from Governor Hen- 
derson as Ex-Officio Chairman of all committees, we request 
free interchange of correspondence of all matters pertaining 
to the respective committees. 

FINANCE COMMITTEE'S REPORT 

Mr. T. 0. Smith, of Birmingham, Ala., who is Chairman of 
the Finance Committee, not being present at the meeting of 
the State Council of Defense on Friday, June 1st, Mr. A. G. 
Parrish of Selma, made the following report : 

We had a meeting in Birmingham last Monday morning 
and the proceedings of same was published and are as follows: 
The Finance Committee of the State Council of Defense will 
begin a vigorous campaign to interest every man in Alabama 
in the Liberty Bond Issue. 

The Committee held its first conference at the Southern 
Club yesterday to discuss the best means of reaching the peo- 
ple of Alabama and of arousing the necessary interest to see 
that Alabama's share of $14,000,000 of the liberty loan is not 
only subscribed but is oversubscribed. 

The Committee was recently appointed by Governor Hen- 
derson and consists of Col. Tom O. Smith, Birmingham, Chair- 
man; A. B. Parrish, President City National Bank of Selma; 



15 

Adolph Hohenberg, President First National Bank of We- 
tumpka; N. P. Renfroe, President First National Bank of 
Opelika ; Louis Pizitz, Birmingham. All members of the com- 
mittee were present yesterday. 

It was decided to ask the special cooperation of the press 
of the State in calling attention to the importance of general 
subscriptions to the liberty loan for it was pointed out that 
the country wants not a few large contributors, but a great 
number of small contributors. 

Any bank will help with advice or otherwise in subscribing 
for these bonds. 

The suggestion was made that the department stores and 
other places of business make arrangements to offer the bonds 
over their counters. Mr. Pizitz said he could dispose of $50,- 
000 worth of the bonds in small amounts. He pointed out that 
in New York every bank, every corner, every drug store con- 
tains people who are asking others to subscribe for liberty 
bonds, no matter how small the amount. He thought best re- 
sults could be obtained in Alabama by merchants getting a 
supply of the bonds from their banks and selling them to em- 
ployees and customers and by the formation of committees in 
every county for personal solicitation. 

The banker members of the committee felt that they spoke 
for every banker in the State when they offered assistance on 
the part of the banks to those who wished to subscribe. It 
was further thought that no greater service could be rendered 
to the small investor in Alabama than to interest him in the 
bonds of his country — an investment gilt edged intrinsically 
and of the highest moment from a patriotic standpoint. 

STATEMENT IS ISSUED 

An informal draft of a statement from the committee was 
submitted by Mr. Hohenberg and was adopted. It reads as 
follows : 

"Patriotism at a Profit." 

"Uncle Sam needs your help. If you are too young or too 
old to carry a gun, you can help yourself and Uncle Sam at the 
same time by buying a 'Liberty Bond.' 



16 

"None too old, none too young, none too rich, none too 
poor! The best security in the world offered on easy terms 
and sure to advance in price. 
"Get in on the ground floor. 

"An opportunity to become a stockholder in your own coun- 
try and to receive dividends in life, liberty and the undisturbed 
pursuit of happiness, to say nothing of 3V2 Per cent per year, 
semi-annually, in gold. 

"Be a patriot, either with a musket, hoe, or pocketbook, 
and better still, with all three if possible. If you can't buy 
$1,000, buy $500. If you can't buy $500, buy $100. If you 
can't buy $100, buy $50. If you can't pay all at once you can 
make a start by paying $1.00 down and the balance in install- 
ments. 

"If your local bank or postmaster can't give you the de- 
sired information, apply to either of the undersigned, who will 
take pleasure in explaining the plan to you fully. 

(Signed) T. O. Smith, Chairman, 
A. G. Parrish, 
Adolph Hohenberg, 
N. P. Renfroe, 
Louis Pizitz, 

Mr. Louis Pizitz, of the Finance Committee, made the 
statement that all that was necessary to sell the Liberty 
Bonds was to explain to the would-be purchaser that he is not 
necessarily required to make the investment for the period of 
thirty years, but upon the purchase of the Liberty Bond, most 
any bank or banker will pay him the face value of same upon 
presentation. Mr. Pizitz also stated that he had sold among 
his employees in one afternoon of about four hours, about $10,- 
500 worth of these bonds. He submitted a copy of the form 
which he used among his employees, which is as follows : 

"Birmingham, Ala., 

Mr. Louis Pizitz: 

I desire to secure $ of the United States 

government Liberty War Bonds, and wish to pay 

per week until paid, said amount to be taken out of my salary 
weekly. 



17 

Bonds to be delivered to me when I have paid for same. 
You to retain coupons. 



Address " 



Mr. Pizitz also stated that he told his employees that at 
any time they wished the money on their Liberty Bond he 
would pay it to them. 

REPORT OF COORDINATION OF SOCIETIES 
COMMITTEE 

Mr. J. K. Jackson, Chairman. — Of necessity this committee 
must ascertain what the different organizations or chambers 
of commerce propose doing. Having ascertained this, this 
committee will be able to render efficient service. Mr. Love- 
man has begun some work already along this line. Mrs. 
Hooper is already in touch with the different women's organi- 
zations throughout the State. Under these connditions we will 
have to wait until we learn just what the different organiza- 
tions throughout the State propose doing then the committee 
will get their work under way. We shall have an early meeting 
of the full committee and we hope to render a good account of 
ourselves to the Executive Committee in a few days. 

Mrs. Hooper. — 

Mrs. J. F. Hooper, of Selma, of the Coordination Commit- 
tee made the following statement : 

"I haven't a word to add to what Mr. Jackson has said, but 
I do want to say this much. We want to pledge that the love 
and devotion and patriotism and the sacrifice and the service 
of the women of this generation is no whit behind that of the 
women of the days of the sixties. We know that our mothers 
and grandmothers met the very high needs of their day, and 
surely their daughters could not hesitate, could not falter, and 
will not fail now that the country has called on them the sec- 
ond time for their services. The first work that the women 
have done has been in response to a request from headquarters 
in Washington to place in the hands of each young man who 
registers on next Tuesday, a copy of President Wilson's War 



18 

Message. It is felt that for the young men to have this mes- 
sage will inspire him with more heroism and greater ideals. It 
is my plan to have all heads of organizations of Alabama to 
aid in this work, and I am sure the women want you to feel 
that they are at your service. 

REPORT OF FOOD PRODUCTION AND CONSERVATION 

COMMITTEE 

Mr. F. D. Stevens was made secretary of this committee. 

It was moved and seconded that we support and utilize the 
county organizations as already constituted by the Governor, 
and that in counties not so organized steps be taken to organ- 
ize same, through representative patriotic men of such coun- 
ties. 

The committee will conform to plans of making agricultu- 
ral surveys as contemplated by the United States Department 
of Agriculture, and that we utilize existing organizations so 
far as practicable, including (1) county and beat organizations 
as planned by the Governor, (2) the office of the Commis- 
sioner of Agriculture, (3) and the State Agricultural Exten- 
sion Service, each working, so far as practicable, under exist- 
ing laws and regulations. 

The Committee recognizes its work to be divisible into two 
parts, (1) statistical and regulatory, supervised by the State 
Commissioner of Agriculture. 

(B) Agricultural information and propaganda under direct 
supervision of the State Extension Service of Auburn. 

The Chairman, Hon. J. A. Wade, Prof. J. F. Duggar and F. 
D. Stevens were authorized to formulate a plan of action. 

REPORT OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY COMMITTEE 

I. We advise that all female cattle that are breeders be 
held, not killed, but be retained as breeders, and that no calves 
be used for baby beef (under 12 months old). 

II. That all sires of all kinds of domestic animals be regis- 
tered and where individual farmers can not own registered 
sires that community organizations buy and use such sires. 



19 

III. Brood sows should be retained on all farms so that 
there will be sufficient pigs and hogs to consume the coming 
crops. 

IV. That no hogs or shoats under 100 pounds should be 
sold, shipped or killed. 

V. That all hogs in Alabama should be immunized against 
hog cholera. 

VI. That we advise all farmers to produce and save corn, 
peas, peanuts, hay, and all possible kinds of grains, forage and 
pasture for feeding to maturity farm animals. 

VII. That all counties not doing tick eradication work be 
requested and urged to take up active tick eradication at once 
as an absolute necessity to increase beef and milk production. 

VIII. That all papers, county demonstrators, and county 
organizations be requested to convey these suggestions to the 
farmers of Alabama. 

C. A. Cary, Chairman, 
L. F. Sessions, 
W. H. King, 
J. E. Dunaway, 
Clarendon Davis, 
Henry Abraham. 
Montgomery, Ala., June 1, 1917. 

REPORT OF STATE COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL 
DEFENSE— MEDICAL SECTION 

About a year ago the Committee of American Physicians 
for National Preparedness cooperating with the Council of 
National Defense, appointed in each state a Committee on 
Medical Preparedness. 

The Alabama Committee was organized with Dr. J. N. 
Baker, of Montgomery, as Chairman, and Dr. H. G. Perry, of 
Montgomery, as Secretary. 

The Committee made a list of all physicians in the State 
who were eligible for service in the Medical Reserve Corps, and 
a list of all hospitals in the State available for military use. 
This information was furnished to the Council on National 
Defense. 



20 

The above mentioned committee held a meeting last Thurs- 
day night. The secretary was directed to secure from county 
health officers throughout the State the names of all physi- 
cians who register under the Conscription Act on June 5th. 
This information will probably be available not later than 
Thursday, June 7th. 

A letter has already been prepared which will be sent to 
each doctor whose name is furnished, requesting him to attend 
a conference with the Committee on June 14th, in Montgom- 
ery. The object of this conference will be to devise ways and 
means to secure Alabama's quota of medical officers for the 
army. 

It is estimated that Alabama will be required to furnish 
about 400 medical officers. 

Respectfully submitted, 

S. W. Welch, 
Chairman State Committee National- Defense, 

Medical Section. 

REPORT OF THE INDUSTRIAL COMMITTEE 

The Chairman of this Committee, Mr. J. W. McQueen, 
was not present. Mr. Tracy W. Pratt, acting Chairman. — We 
have designated certain branches of industrial work to each 
member of the Committee. We shall hold a meeting in Birm- 
ingham upon the return of Mr. McQueen. Each member of 
this Committee is deeply interested in its purpose and you can 
be assured of good reports from its work. We shall report to 
the Governor at an early date. 

Mr. F. S. Moody, Industrial Committee: 

Mr. Moody, of Tuscaloosa, in an impromptu talk, struck 
the keynote of the meeting when he stated that organization 
of effort is the solution of all the problems confronting Ala- 
bama on the eve of war. Germany's marvelous success in com- 
bating all efforts against her, he said, is due to her organiza- 
tion of industries, and to the fact that the government can at 
any hour put its hand on any industrial organization in the 
empire, and the German government is sure of its prepared- 



21 

ness to withstand the combined armies of the world during 
the next two years by reason of having her industries at her 
command at any hour. The Confederacy was vanquished in 
the war between the states, he said, through a lack of this 
power. With a super-corn crop within a few miles, but no 
means of transportation, the Confederate soldiers at Peters- 
burg, he declared, were physically so depleted from lack of 
food as to be unable to hold their own. To avoid a similar 
catastrophe, he said, the Council of Defense may furnish the 
means of combating such catastrophies by its organization of 
industries, of transportation facilities, of publicity and of food 
production. 

REPORT OF THE LABOR COMMITTEE 

There were only two members of this Committee present. 
Mr. M. E. Barganier and Mr. John Peebles. 

Mr. Peebles : We have discussed the labor question as well 
as we could but have no written report to make. We find, how- 
ever, that every community and every industry not only in our 
State but over this country is needing labor. We do not know 
what is really required of us. We do not see how it is possible 
to move labor from one section to another, neither can we say 
how we can get more labor into our farming districts. We be- 
lieve that it would be a good idea to merge this committee with 
the Industrial Committee, and suggest such a move. 

REPORT OF THE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE 

The entire Committee was present. Mr. Kennedy, Chair- 
man, rendered the following report : 

The entire committee was present. Mr. S. P. Kennedy, 
Chairman, stated that the defense of the State is, in his opin- 
ion, no stronger than its transportation facilities. He intro- 
duced the following resolutions, calling upon the railroads of 
the State for cooperation in the matter of shipping facilities, 
and called upon the Publicity Committee to disseminate these 
and other facts that will be of assistance to the roads and to 
the public. 

This Committee will meet again at an early date. 



22 

To the Shippers of the State of Alabama : 

This Committee, known as "The Transportation Commit- 
tee of the State Council of Defense," appointed by the Hon- 
orable Chalres Henderson, Governor of this State, was created 
for the purpose of aiding the shippers and railroads in a co- 
operative way, in facilitating the handling of the traffic and 
relieving, if possible, the distressed conditions brought about 
by problems now confronting this country of which you are 
familiar, and to that end we are asking your cooperation, and 
would ask: 

(1) Have your thoughts and energies been directed to co- 
operation with the transportation companies in this relief? 

(2) Have you made your wants known to the transporta- 
tion officials of the lines on which you are located ? 

(3) Are you handling promptly all loads placed to you, 
even to the extent of employing extra labor, in order to aid in 
relieving your own wants and cooperating in relieving the 
wants of others, by making available at the earliest possible 
moment, an empty car? 

(4) When car is made empty and not needed by you for 
loading, are you notifying the transportation officials of the 
railroad by phone, messenger or otherwise, of the hour the car 
is released? This, as you appreciate, will often aid in supply- 
ing a car six to twenty-four hours earlier than when handled 
as in the past under normal conditions. 

(5) Are you loading all cars to their maximum carrying 
capacity, i. e., marked capacity of car, plus 10% ? if not, can 
you not cooperate by having consignees increase their orders 
as will permit of your doing this on any single order, or on all 
orders ? 

(6) In the conservation of equipment under prevailing 
conditions, what is your business is the railroads' business, 
and where delays to equipment that you see standing, whether 
it be the business of your company or that of others, the rail- 
roads would appreciate your calling to their attention by car 
numbers and initials, cars so delayed. 

We feel you will have the cooperation of the railroads, and 
we ask that you cooperate with us and the railroads to the end 
of accomplishing that which we are all anxious and working 
for, that is, improved efficiency in the car supply. 



23 

To the Railroads of Alabama: 

Your cooperation is asked with this Committee, to work 
out in the State of Alabama a mutually satisfactory arrange- 
ment between yourselves and the shippers using the transpor- 
tation facilities of this State, and to put in such working ar- 
rangements as will result in increasing the efficiency of the 
car supply and the handling of the business so created ; to that 
end we would ask : 

REDUCING NUMBER OF CARS REQUIRED 

Have you given consideration to a service, where the traf- 
fic justifies, the handling of the business with a one-day car 
supply as against possibly two or three days, as the business 
may now be handled ; that is, placing of empties at night for a 
day's loading, furnishing a service that will take the loads of 
the same day to the industries, asking their cooperation in 
promptly unloading and returning the same empties to the 
loading point by following morning — such an arrangement is 
being worked out in certain districts of the State and can pos- 
sibly be put in effect at other points with the same advantage, 
resulting in releasing for other service a number of cars in this 
way. 

RELEASING EQUIPMENT 

Have you asked the cooperation of shippers at terminals in 
advising you by phone, or otherwise, when a car is unloaded, 
which, if done, with information in hand, it would permit yard 
crews to get the empty car into service, thereby saving from 
six to twenty-four hours delay ; and if same relief was applied 
at local stations would possibly permit the saving of same time 
by having passing trains pick up empty and place where 
needed, if not needed at the point unloaded ? 

EQUIPMENT EFFICIENCY 

Prompt delivery of loads when ordered, often permits of a 
quicker relief, and if same consideration is given the pulling 
of an empty as placing of a load, will work to the end of conser- 
vation of, and a greater efficiency in the use of cars available. 



24 
MAXIMUM MILEAGE PER CAR PER DAY 

At the larger points regular hours between lines as to in- 
terchange have been established; could not the same consid- 
eration to interchange of traffic be had as placing merchandise 
cars to warehouses, which, generally speaking, is as fast as 
they arrive, to interchange between connecting lines, with the 
pulling of interchange more frequently than at hours now 
established which would permit of cars so interchanged to be 
forwarded on first train in the direction of destination of load, 
thereby preventing a twelve to twenty-four hour delay in 
yards where interchanges are made ? 

MAXIMUM LOADING TO CAPACITY OF CAR 

Have all employees impressed with the importance of urg- 
ing shippers to load cars to their maximum carrying capacity, 
thereby reducing the number of cars required to handle the 
traffic offering. 

WEIGHING CARS AND DELAY RESULTING THEREFROM 

Are your forces so organized as will permit of weighing of 
cars on line without setting cars out, thereby suffering a de- 
lay, and are cars in terminals weighed promptly after breaking 
up trains, which would prevent cars so handled being forward- 
ed on first train in the direction of destination of load after its 
reaching the terminal ? 

MOTIVE POWER 

Have you sufficient motive power to handle the present 
tonnage of your line ? With present motive power, what per- 
centage increase could you still handle without increased 
power ? If not sufficient motive power to handle present busi- 
ness, what additional motive power is required, both as to 
transportation and switching service? 



25 
REPORT OF THE LEGAL COMMITTEE 

Sen. T. J. Bulger, of Dadeville, of the Legal Committee, 
stated that as soon as he received the Proclamation of the 
Governor appointing the Legal Committee, I called the meet- 
ing together day before yesterday and I am glad to report that 
they were all present. We had a very enthusiastic and satis- 
factory meeting and I have already notified the Governor that 
the Committee had been organized and their services were 
subject to his call at any time. 

REPORT OF MILITARY COMMITTEE 

General G. J. Hubbard, Chairman, Military Committee: 

Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen : 

The duties of the Military Committee are largely defined 
and limited by the laws, recently enacted, with reference to 
the organization and maintenance of the national military 
forces, and the work of your Committee has been conducted in 
entire accord with the plans and purposes of the Federal gov- 
ernment. 

Our activities have more recently been directed to giving 
information about and making preparations for the registra- 
tion on June 5th. Before that time we were endeavoring to 
put into the minds of the young men of the State the idea that 
Alabama men should enlist in the existing Alabama organiza- 
tions. Under the present laws the National Guard units of the 
State will be drafted into the Federal service and will become 
a part of the new national army, but retaining their State and 
local designations. We will therefore have our National Guard 
troops in the army as distinctively Alabama organizations. 
There is no reason why the State should not get all the credit 
possible out of having these Alabama units in the army, and 
every effort should be made to fill them up to war strength, so 
that they may maintain their identity as such. This would in 
no way conflict with the plans of the Federal government, but 
would be directly in keeping with its declared policy. With 
this purpose in view we have requested newspapers and speak- 



26 

ers throughout the State to lay stress on the point that Ala- 
bama young men should come now, as volunteers, into these 
Alabama organizations. 

When the selective draft becomes operative, about the first 
of September, no one will be consulted as to where he is to go 
or in which branch he will serve. So if a man desires to exer- 
cise any option or to choose the officers under whom he is to 
serve, now is the time for him to make that choice. We be- 
lieve that the membership of this Council and the people of the 
State generally would be doing the young men of the State a 
favor to impress upon them that they should take advantage 
of the opportunity to go with their local friends in local organ- 
izations under officers of their own choice. 

We do not anticipate any trouble in this State in putting 
into effect the registration plans. We had an organization in 
every county ready before the President signed the bill. All 
we had to do was to confirm what had already been done. On 
the sixth day after the President's proclamation was pub- 
lished, Alabama was ready to proceed and so notified the War 
Department. We are now simply waiting for the day to come. 
We find that sentiment throughout the State with reference to 
this way of raising an army is good. It is a fair way, just in 
every particular, distributing the burden of service equally, 
and no unnecessary hardship is going to be worked on any 
community or individual, so far as we can see. Liberal ex- 
emptions are going to be granted those engaged in agricul- 
tural and industrial pursuits. There is a deliberate purpose 
on the part of the Federal authorities not to cripple any indus- 
try, especially the farming industry, and that policy will be 
pursued in the selection of men for service. I think there is 
some misapprehension in the minds of the people as to the 
number of men who are going to be taken under this draft. Of 
course we do not know what ultimately may come, but under 
existing laws and conditions only about 200,000 men in this 
State are subject to registration. Basing the exemptions on 
the German and French figures of exemption, as the War De- 
partment is doing, it is estimated that fifty per cent of this 
200,000 will be exempted for various causes and that only 
about 100,000 men in the State will be eligible for service with 



27 

the troops. Of those eligible for service, only one-tenth will be 
taken on the first call and one-tenth on the second call. So in 
fact the number of men taken from any community will not 
be very great and it will not bo so great as to seriously affect 
any industrial enterprise or agricultural interest. We have 
advertised as much as possible the fact that everybody within 
the ages prescribed should register without fail on the fifth, 
with the exception of those few who are already in the mili- 
tary service of the State and Nation. 

It has been feared by some that, as no State troops are 
now available for the preservation of law and order, conditions 
might occasionally arise, which could not be properly handled 
and which might bring discredit upon the State. That is a 
problem which we have had to confront and it has been sug- 
gested through the members of this Committee, and it will be 
further suggested and urged, that while there is no provision 
of law for the organization and formation of what are known 
as Home Guard companies, which can be recognized as mili- 
tary units, there is a way in which the matter of local dis- 
turbances can be taken care of and well taken care of, and that 
is by the sheriff of each county organizing and deputizing a 
permanent posse. There is no reason why the sheriff should 
not go to fifty men in his county and say to each of them that 
he will be a member of this permanent posse and when needed 
he will be summoned. I have sufficient confidence in the peo- 
ple of the various communities of the State to believe that the 
sheriff of any county can easily enlist in this work fifty men or 
more who will see to it that order is preserved and that the 
laws of the State and Nation are enforced without relying on 
the State or military authorities as has heretofore been done 
all too frequently in cases of emergency which should have 
been controlled by the local authorities, and that, gentlemen, 
is the way to do this thing. Place upon the officials and upon 
the people of every county the responsibility for the preserva- 
tion of law and order in their county ; let them understand that 
the State relies upon them and upon them alone for the per- 
formance of this duty during this emergency, and there can be 
no doubt but that the duty will be well performed, and a great 
purpose will have been accomplished not only for the present, 
but for all time. 



28 
REPORT OF THE PUBLICITY COMMITTEE 

Mr. W. T. Sheehan : 

We realize that there are great possibilities for service in 
this committee which we cannot avail ourselves of today, but 
to which we may draw your attention. You will observe that 
nearly all the work of the State Council of Defense has in one 
way or another led to or touched the Publicity Committee. 
Governor Henderson drew attention to the advantage of let- 
ting the people of the State know what we were doing and to 
bring them into cooperation with us. Our work will not be a 
success without sufficient publicity. It will be of no value un- 
less we can bring it to the knowledge and understanding of 
the people. We must have machinery for reaching the people 
and this we have not at present. We recommend that later on 
when the State Council of Defense opens State Headquarters 
that it also establish a press bureau. This will require the 
services of at least one man and there will be a considerable 
postage bill. To be efficient, however, we must establish head- 
quarters with a press bureau. We who directly represent 
daily papers can first use the papers we represent, but our best 
work will have to come through the weekly papers throughout 
the State. We deem it advisable to take advantage of the offer 
made by the Alabama Press Association when it passed a joint 
resolution pledging the papers of the State to the support of 
any movement for conserving the resources for the defense of 
the country. That is a special appeal to the w T eekly press of 
Alabama for the daily press covers only 30% of the territory 
of Alabama. 

The following resolutions were adopted by this committee : 

Whereas, the Alabama State Council of Defense has noted 
with deep appreciation the patriotic offer of the Alabama 
Press Association made up largely of the weekly papers at its 
meeting in Gadsden to aid with all its power all the agencies 
which are laboring to make America strong and efficient in 
this critical hour and to serve in any way that its members 
may deem necessary to the interests of the American republic. 

Be it resolved by the State Council of Defense, That the 
generous and patriotic offer of the newspapers of Alabama is 



29 

accepted with gratitude and in the knowledge that we must 
rely upon the press of Alabama to forward patriotic appeals, 
to disseminate knowledge and to present methods for the 
stimulation of our food crops, for the conservation of our re- 
sources in this trying time and for steadying the courageous 
patriotism of our people. 

Be it further resolved, That the President and Secretary of 
the Alabama Press Association be informed of these resolu- 
tions and of the purpose of the Council of Defense to avail it- 
self of the offer of the newspapers of Alabama, without the 
cooperation of which, much of our labors will be in vain. 

Whereas, the Alabama Council of Defense is deeply sensi- 
ble of the public and patriotic service already rendered by the 
daily papers of Alabama in patriotic appeals to our people and 
in disseminating information to stimulate and equip our peo- 
ple for the task before them. 

Be it resolved, That we record our thanks to the daily pa- 
pers of Alabama for the splendid and unselfish work they have 
voluntarily done, and we look confidently to them to cooperate, 
if they do not take the lead, in the work of preparing and 
steadying Alabama for the task that is before her. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS ? 



020 933 435 5 



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